Learn to Sail Program

The West Vancouver Yacht Club is a leader in youth and adult sailing programs in Canada -- a friendly, family-oriented club which strongly supports active community living. You do not have to be a member to participate. All WVYC staff are experienced, trained, and certified by Sail Canada to offer Sail Canada accredited courses and a variety of other programs unique to our club. Learners enjoy quality sail instruction, a very low student-to-instructor ratio, and the best sailing equipment on the Lower Mainland. Our sail training programs introduce basic sailing skills, develop existing skills and improve racing performance for youth and adult sailors in a fun and safe environment. Come sail with us and experience the exhilaration of sailing, learning and understanding yachting traditions.

Commodores Cup

Since 1986, junior racers from various clubs around Greater Vancouver have gathered on English Bay for three great days of racing. This regatta is designed to introduce sailors to the competitive side of the sport. It is open only to sailors who have taken part in a Learn to Sail program during the summer. We suggest only those doing Opti 2 and higher or CANSail 2 and higher take part as you need to have the basics of sailing down and be moving into the learning to race/go fast skills. Opti sailors are expected to be able to handle a boat by themselves and navigate around a course. Double handed sailors will be paired up with a partner by your WVYC coach and remain with that partner for the 3 days of the event. Space is limited. We only have 20 optis, 2 420s and 4 Fevas available for use at this regatta. So if you would like to participate in this regatta please let your instructor know when you come for your Learn to Sail course.

Age

Sailing Experience (Years)

0-1

2-4

>4

7-12

11-17

Special Offer: Bring a Friend Sailing & Save! Register in any one of our CANSail programs, bring a friend, and both you and your friend will receive a 10% discount. Offer only available on CANSail 1 - 6 programs, and cannot be combined with other offers or discounts. Click here for full terms and conditions.

West Vancouver Yacht Club offers a number of programs for community schools. These programs all strive to promote sailing as a life long sport in a safe and exciting environment.

1. Introduction to Sailing (K-12)

Take Your Class Sailing!

The West Vancouver Yacht Club offers Introductory Dinghy Sailing Classes to schools for Grades K through 12. The goal of the program is to promote safe boating while exposing as many kids as possible to a recreational water-sport like sailing. Living on the west coast, it's important that students learn how to act safely and responsibly around the water. Sailing is the perfect medium to learn about safe boating, and, of course, an exciting and memorable way to begin or end the school year. Classes of up to 30 students can enroll in courses tailored for your needs, with special attention paid to the age of the students and time available for learning.

There are several class structures to choose from, please contact our Sailing Director for details.

All classes are taught by Canadian Yachting Association certified instructors who are trained to make sailing both fun and safe. The boats used for training are small Optimist for Grades K to 5, and FJs for Grades 6 to 12. All equipment including PFD's (life jackets) are included. Courses are offered from May through June and September. A minimum of 15 students are required for each class.

This is a great opportunity to give students a taste of the exciting sport of sailing and water safety. If you are interested in hearing more about WVYC's School Sailing Program, or consult other teachers about their sailing experiences, please contact our Sailing Director.

2. High School Credits

One of the benefits of joining our North Shore Sailing Team is that when you compete at regattas you can qualify for grade 10, 11 and 12 elective credits based on the level of competition you do. You don't have to be an expert sailor to go to the BC Summer Games, Sailwest or other regattas to obtain the 4 elective credits. For more information please email the sailing director.

The North Shore Sailing Team is a collaborative effort of several North Shore Yacht and Sailing Clubs to promote youth racing and attend a number of regattas each season. The team trains out of West Vancouver YC and travels to several regattas in the lower mainland, on Vancouver Island and the interior.

A number of classes and other opportunities for adult sailing and racing instruction are available through the Club for members and non-members alike. Contact sailingdirector@wvyc.ca for more information.